AT&T Apparently Has a Different Definition of Unlimited Than the Rest of Us

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://allthingsd.com/20110729/atts-unlimited-data-plans-wont-keep-you-from-getting-throttled/' target='_blank'>http://allthingsd.com/20110729/atts...ting-throttled/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"So much for AT&amp;T's grandfathered unlimited data plans.Confirming a report in 9to5Mac yesterday, the carrier said Friday that it will soon throttle its heaviest data users as part of an effort to alleviate congestion on its network."</em></p><p><img height="423" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1312133185.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="587" /></p><p>Starting October 1st, if you hit the magic top 5% of data users, your speed will be throttled back until the next billing cycle, as a punishment for being a data hog, even if you are on the unlimited plan. If I was an unlimited user and they did this, I certainly wouldn't be happy about it. I guess you still can get all the data you want, but it would be at a slower speed. I would like to know what "extraordinary usage" is defined as by AT&amp;T though, as that is the trigger point to get to the top 5%. It is certainly a worthless phrase if I can't quantify it, but they say they will give you a heads up before it happens so you can adjust usage during a grace period. What are your thoughts on this change by AT&amp;T?</p>

My thoughts: we all knew this was coming, didn't we? I mean AT&T stopped offering unlimited plans to new customers over a year ago. And Verizon announced that they'd be throttling the speed on their heaviest unlimited users from the get go.

Personally I was on the unlimited plan for > 4 years and never used much more than 600 MB in any single month.